Printing mechanism for adding and recording machines



M. GARBELL June 1, 1937.-

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR ADDING AND RECORDING MACHINES Original Filed March 24, 195-4 4 SheetsSheet 1 A M 6 M 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 1, 1937. M. GARBELL PRINT ING MECHANISM FOR ADDING AND RECORDING MACHINES Original Filed March 24 zgamaso- M. GARBELL 2,082,282

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR ADDING AND RECORDING MACHINES June 1, 1937.

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed March 24, 193-4 M. GARBELL June 1, 1937.

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR ADDING AND RECORDING MACHINES 4 Sheets$heet 4 Original Filed March 24, 195-4 c 10 C Q C Patented ,Fnne i, 1&3?

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR ADDING RECORDING MAC:-

Max Garbell, Chicago, 111., assignor to Victor Adding Machine Company, Chicago, 1111., a corporation of Delaware Original application. March 2d, 1934, Serial No.

717,156. Divided and this application Novemher 13, 1934, Serial at. 752,873

17 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in adding and recording machines and more particularly to the printing mechanism.

The chief objects of the invention are the provision of a printing mechanism adapted to be moved in a path for receiving the impression of type positioned in a printing line.

A further object is the provision of tripping means extending into the path of the operating. mechanism of the machine for efiecting a movement of the printing mechanism for an impact against the type positioned in the printing line, and for restoring the same to its normal position after the impact has been made. 4

-A still further object is the provision of cushioning means co-acting with the printing mechanism for absorbing the shock during the impact of the printing mechanism with'the type while an impression is being made therefrom; and to provide a novel trigger arrangement to be engaged by the operating mechanism of the machine in one direction of its movement and to be free thereof in the other direction of movement while being retained in the path of movement thereof.

And a still further object is the privision of feeding mechanism for a record strip which is positively fed outwardly of the machine upon each operation stroke and which will become more apparent in the drawings forming a part of this application in which? Figure 1 is a top plan view of an adding machine with my improved printing mechanism attached thereto. w

Figure 2 is a medial longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a medial longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a changed position of the type carrying elements of the adding machine with the operating mechanism thereof engaging my improved printing mechanism; and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal detail sectional view and partly in elevation being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 K

The present application is a division of my prior application, Serial No. 717,156, filed March 24, 1934, for improvements in adding and recording machines, and only so much of the machine shown and described in said application as is necessary for a full understanding of the subject matter claimed in this application will be shown and described. The reference numerals appearing in the prior application have been employed to designate the corresponding parts herein.

The reference numeral 28 designates the base or bottom wall of an adding machine to which a pair of side plates-29 and 30 are secured and which support the mechanism of the adding -machine. v

A plurality of digit keys 3i are carried in banks between the side plates 29 and 30 and are each provided with depending stems 33 that are adapted to extend into the path of reciprocating type bars I5 carried below each bank. The keys 3I actuate a slide 88 which controls the movements of a zero stop 58 and a type bar stop which extend into the path of movement of the type bars for controlling the same. Each of the zero stops 58 and the type bar stops 65 are carried for rocking movements on a transversely extending shaft 59 which is carried at the front end of the keyboard. These stops 58 and 65 are arranged in pairs and are also arranged for movement with each other by means of an extension 64 on the zero stop 58 engaging an angular formation 69 on the type bar stop. This angular formation 69 of the type bar stop extends to the right as viewed from the front ofthe machine and under an extension 10 of the adjacent type bar stop in the bank of lower order so that upon the movement of the zero stop 58 in any bank to the left of the first bank, will cause a movement of all of the type bar stops to the right thereof or of lower order, and which has been more clearly pointed out in my application filed November 7, 1934, Serial No. 751,812.

The type bars I5 are carried for sliding movements on a transversely extending shaft I8 which extends through a slot opening T9 in each of the type bars which are also guided at their other ends in-the combs 8| and 83 that are fixed to the side plates 29 and 30. Each of the type bars I5 are provided at one end thereof adjacent the comb 83 with type 82 fixed to the underside of the type bar and ranging from zero to 9. These type bars are also normally retained in locked position by means of a type bar lock arm I60 pivotally supported for. rocking movements on a shaft I01 and adapted to extend into the path of a lug ISI fixed to the type bar. The type bar lock arm has an integral depending arm ISA which is normally retained into the path of movement of a shaft I50 by means of a spring I56 fixed thereto and to a cross-member I51. The shaft I50 is adapted to be carried with the actuator shaft 94 of the machine, and upon a movement of the actuator shaft, the shaft I50 will be caused to engage the depending arm I54 and cause a rocking movement thereof with the arm I60 to disengage the same from the lug I6I and release the type bar which is then solely under the control of the digit keys in that bank. The shaft I50 is provided with a flattened portion I52 that extends its entire length and is pivotally carried with this flattened portion normally out of engagement with the depending arms I54. This shaft I50 is adapted to be turned with its flattened portion I52 directly toward the arms I54 and when bodily rocked with the actuator shaft 94 will be free of engagement with these look arms, and which has been more clearly pointed out in my application filed November 7, 1934, Serial No. 751,812.

A platen 399 is carried in a printing line B outwardly of the type 82 of the type bars 15 and is supported on a platen shaft 400 that it pivotally carried in a pair of arms 40I and 402. These arms 40I and 402 are supported on studs 403 and 404 respectively which are carried on the side plates 29 and 30 and serve as pivotal centers on which the platen 399 may be rocked bodily in a path in the printing line B. The stud 404 is fixed to the arm 402 and has a depending L-shaped arm 405 fixed thereto which has a dog 406 pivotally carried on a pin 401 at the free end thereof and is provided with a rest or stop 408 thereon which is adapted to engage the depending arm 405 to limit its movement in one direction. The dog 406 is carried in yieldable relation with the arm 405 by means of a torsion spring 409 which encircles the pin 401 and engages the dog 406 and the arm 405 and normally retains the 'stop 408 of the dog 406 against the arm 405. The dog 406 is normally retained into the path of travel of a collar member 4I0 fixed to the actuator shaft 94 of the adding machine and is provided with an extension 4I0a that is normally in spaced relation with the dog 406 to permit of the setting-up operation of the machine during a partial stroke of the actuator shaft 94, and at which time the portion 4| 00. will engage the dog 406 (Fig. 3), and cause a rocking movement of the arm 405 and the arms 402 and 40I carrying the platen 399. This rocking movement of the arm 405 is against the tension of a torsion spring 4 which has one leg thereof engaging the arm 405 and its body portion encircling the stud 404 with its other leg secured to the side plate 30 and serves to restore the arms 402 and 40I with the platen 399 to normal at-rest position.

The platen 399 is retained in a normal retracted position in the printing line B by means of the depending arm 405 engaging a cushioning member 2 carried on the side plate 30. The cushioning member M2 is of a tubular shelllike formation having an integral end wall and retains a compression spring 4I3 through which a plunger '4I4 extends being provided with a headed portion against which one end of the spring rests and having its other end threaded to receive a nut 4I6 which permits of the adjust.- ing of the plunger 4 with respect to an extension 4I5 on the arm 405] The adjustment of the nut M6 is for regulating and obtaining the impact desired of the platen 399 a ainst the type set up in the printing line B. The platen is tripped at the limit movement of the actuator shaft 94 by means of the extension 4I0a thereon engaging the dog 406 and causes the arm 405 to be rocked away from the plunger 4I4 of the cushioning device 4I2 (Fig. 3), and as the extension 4| 0a is moved beyond the engaging point of'the dog 406, the arm 405 will be instantaneously restored against the plunger 4I4 of the cushioning device M2 by means of the torsion spring 4 and cushion the impact shock of the platen 399 against the type of the type bars.

A transversely extending bar 4" is secured directly below the platen 399 to the platen arms 40I and 402 and serves as a brace for these arms between which the platen 399 is positioned. A spring pawl M8 is carried on the bar M1 and coacts with a detent wheel 4I9 which is secured to the platen shaft 400 adjacent the arm 402 and serves as a line space regulator for the re tating movements of the platen.

It will be noted that the platen 399, the detent wheel M9 and the spring pawl 4I8 are carried bodily on the arms 4M and 402 and with each operation of the machine, an impact of the platen will be had and during the restoring action thereof, the platen is caused to turn for a partial rotation. A chain 421 extends around the sprocket wheel 426 fixed to the platen shaft 400 and around a double sprocket wheel 428 which is loosely carried on the stud 403. A second chain 429 also extends around the sprocket 428 and around a sprocket 430 fixed to a stud shaft 43I journaled in the side plate 29 and which has a twirler knob 432 fixed thereto outwardly of the side wall of the machine for manually rotating the platen. A ratchet wheel 433 is secured to the shaft 43I adjacent the sprocket 430 and is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 434 which is pii' otally mounted on a pin 435 and yieldingly held in position on a skeleton frame 366 by means of a spring 438. This skeleton frame 356 is connected to the actuator shaft 94 by means of a pin 3H and is supported for sliding movements' on the side plate 29 on a stud 361 which extends through an arcuateslot opening 368 in the skeleton frame and is guided by means of a stud 369 which is also fixed to the side plate and which extends through a slot opening 310 in the skeleton frame.

The setting up operation of the type bars in those banks in which a key has been depressed is accomplished upon the forward stroke of the actuator shaft 94 which causes a segmental gear 93 fixed thereto to be brought into meshing engagement with a gear 92 that is fixed to one end I of a gear shaft 9| (Fig. 1). which has a series of gears 90 fixed thereto that are each in meshing engagement with a rack .85 which is yieldingly carried in an elongated slot 84 in the type bars 15 and connected therewith by means of a spring 88. Adjacent each peripheral end of the segmental gear 93 is a dwell 90 and 99 which is adapted to engage a Geneva member 96 that is fixed to the gear shaft 9I and which when engaged by the dwells 98 and 99 at each limit movement of the actuator shaft 94 will retain the type bars in normal or advanced positions, andit is during this movement of the segmental gear 93 while out of meshing engagement with the gear 92 (Fig. 1), atthe time the dwell 99 is in sliding engagement with the Geneva locking member 96, that the impact of the platen takes place against the type of those type bars that have been positioned into the printing line B.

As the platen is released with an impact against the type of the type bars, it is immediately restored to its normal position by means of its engagement with the cushioning device M2 and is retained under the tension of the torsion spring 4| I- and held in spaced relation with and out of the path of the sliding retil) storing movements of the type bars which are under the control of the segmental gear 93 which is again brought into meshing engagement upon the return movement of the actuator shaft 94 and when near its limit stroke, the dwell 98 will again engage the Geneva mem-- ber 96 and retain the type bars in their normal locked positions.

During the restoring action of the actuator shaft 95, the skeleton frame 356 which has been carried forwardly therewith will be restored,

and the pawl 434 carried thereon will engage a tooth of the ratchet wheel 433 and-cause a partial rotation thereof with the shaft ARI a through the medium of the chains 629 and 42'! a partial rotation of the platen 399 will be hai which will feed a record strip C with the platen for a given distance.

The record strip C is guided around the p e" by means of a paper table 422 which is carried bodily with the plate and fixed to the arms 40! and 402 that support the same. Each nd of the platen is provided with a disc 420 which has relatively short teeth 42! that perform each side edge of the paper to grip the same and form a positive driving means therefor.

An inking ribbon is carried on a pair of spools 439 and guided in the printing line B by means of a pair of studs 440 fixed to a type bar comb 83 and is fed in any well-known manner not shown.

The paper table 422 is provided with an elongated opening 323 that extends along t *"n side adjacent the forward end 423 thereof is provided with a serrated edge that serves a cutting edge to manually sever the record strip C which is fed outwardly of the machine.

The supply roll of record strip C is carried in a container 480 which is substantially semi-circular in shape to conform somewhat with the outer periphery of the roll, and as the free end .thereof is fed around the platen 399, a peripheral contact of the roll will be had with the container and maintain the record strip C in a relatively taut position over the platen.

I claim:

1. The combination with a driving mechanism, of a plurality ofv type carrying type bars, a driving member carried on each type bar for movement with and independently thereof and operatively connected with the driving mechanism, a platen, ing stops for said type 'bars when actuated to position the selected type thereof in prin ing relation with said platen, a pair of stops normally retaining each of the type bars. means under the control of the keys to release one of said pair of stops, and means under the control of the driving mechanism to release the other of said pair of stops and permit the type bars to be driven with the driving mechanism until arrested by the actuated keys, lock means at each limit movement of the driving mechanism for withholding the movements of the driving members of the type bars, means between the lock means of said driving mechanism to causethe driving movements of the driving members and type bars, and means on the platen coacting with the driving mechanism to trip said platen for-an impact against the positioned type in printing relation therewith, the tripping occurring at near'the limit setting-up stroke of the driving mechanism and during the time the lock means is withholding the movements of the driving members and type bars.

a series of keys coacting with and form- 2. In an adding machine of thecharacter described, the combination of a plurality of type bars, a driving member yieldingly connected to each of the type bars, of a rockable driving mechanism therefor, lock means near each limit stroke of the driving mechanism for withholding the movements of the driving members of the type bars, means between the lock means of the driving mechanism to cause the driving. movements of said driving members and type bars, and means coacting with the lock means whereby said driving mechanism may move in advance and during the time said lock means is withholding the movements of the driving members of the type bars.

3. The combination of a plurality of type bars each having a driving member yieldingly connected thereto and a rockable driving mechanism therefor, lock means near each limit stroke of the driving mechanism to withhold the movements of the driving members of the type bars, means extending between the lock means of the driving mechanism to cause the driving movements of the driving members to move said type bars, and means on the lock means whereby said driving mechanism may be freely moved a given distance during the time the driving members of the type bars are withheld from movement by said lock means.

4. In an adding machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of type bars. of a rockable driving mechanism therefor, lock means near each limit stroke of the driving mechanism, means between the lock means for causing the driving movements of said type bars, and means whereby said driving mechanism may be moved in advance and during said locking action of the lock means at each limit stroke of the driving mechanism.

5. In an adding machine, the combination of a plurality of type bars, of a driving mechanism therefor including lock means near the limit strokes thereof and engageable means between said lock means to cause the movement of said type bars, said lock means permitting of a free given movement of said driving mechanism independently of the movement of the type bars at each limit stroke thereof.

- 6. The combination with settable type carrying type bars having a spring-impelled platen coacting therewith, a driving mechanism, a rack including a spring operatively connecting each of the type bars withthe driving mechanism, a pair of lock members normally retaining each type bar in locked position, a bank of depressible keys connected with one of the pair of lock members and any one of which keys when depressed releases said lock, the other of said locks being operatively connected with the driving mechanism to be released thereby upon its s arting movement to release the type bars to permit them to be moved to printing relation with said platen, and means near each limit movement of the driving mechanism to withhold the movements of the racks of the type bars, and means on the platen coacting with the operating mechanism for tripping the same for causing a springimpelled impact of the platen against positioned type or the type bars.

'7. In a machine of the character described,

driving mechanism for reciprocating the type bars to position the selected type thereof over the platen, a swinging frame supporting said platen, a cushioning device yieldingly' supporting said swinging frame and platen in retracted position, means for engaging and moving the frame-and platen, spring means coacting with the frame for causing a movement of the platen for an impact against the typeof the type bars upon the release of said engaging means, and lock means near each limit stroke of the driving mechanism retaining the type bars in locked positions and permitting the driving mechanism to move in advance thereof for effecting the movement of the frame and platen.

8. In an adding machine, the combination of differentially movable type carrying type bars, a series of depressible keys forming stops for the type bars, a spring-impelled platen for backing a record strip, a driving mechanism for the type bars, stop members under the control of the keys and driving mechanism controlling the movements of the type bars to present any desired one of said type to printing relation with said record strip, yieldable means retaining the 'said platen in retracted position, and means under the'control of the driving mechanism for tripping said platen for a spring-impelled impact thereof against the type, said impact being under the control of the yieldable means for regulating the impact of .theplaten against the type, and lock means at each limit stroke of the driving mechanism retaining the type bars locked while permitting of an advance movement of said driving mechanism to effect movement of the platen.

. 9. In an adding machine, the combination of type carrying type bars slidably arranged in side by side relation, a series of depressible keys forming stops for the type bars, a platen for backing a record strip, a driving mechanism, stop members under the control of the keys and driving mechanism normally controlling the movements of said type bars to selectively present any desired type into printing position with said record strip, means .under the control of' the driving mechanism for causing the platen to move for an impact against the type in printingposition, and a cushioning device yieldin'gly supporting the platen inretracted position and .serving to cushion the platen when said platen is moved to impact the type.

10. In an adding machine, the combination with the settable type bars having a series of type thereon and printing mechanism including a spring-impelled platen therefor operatively connectedto the actuator shaft of the machine, of operating connections with the type bars positioning the type thereof in printing relation with. the platen, a cam on the actuator shaft arranged to engage andactuate the operating con- 7 nections of said platen for tripping the same for a spring-impelled impact, thereof with the type in the printing position, and means on the actuator shaft coacting with the operating connectionsof the type bars retaining them in locked positions at each limit movement of said actuator shaft and permitting the same to be moved in advance of said operating connections to effect movement of the platen upon the operating stroke and to retain the type bars when said actuator shaft is restored to normal position.

11. In an adding machine, the combination of differentially movable type carrying type bars, a series of banks of depressible keys forming stops for the type bars, a staring-impelled platen for backing a record strip, a driving mechanism, stop members coacting with each type bar. whereby upon the depression of the keys coacting therewith said stop members are moved to different positions controlling the independent movement of the type bars to present the desired type to printing relation with said record strip, means on the platen coactlng with the driving mechanism for tripping and causing a,

swinging movement of the platen for a springimpelled impact thereof against the type which is in relation with the record strip, and means on the driving mechanism retaining the type bars in advanced positions while said platen is moved for an impact against the type thereof.

12. In an adding machine, the combination with a series of type carrying type bars, of a platen cooperating therewith, an arm for operating said platen, operating devices engaging said arm, means for disengaging said arm from the operating devices, and means for yieldingly holding said arm readily engageable with the operating devices when so disengaged.

13. In an adding machine, the combination of type carrying type bars slidably arranged in side by side relation, a spring-impelled platen for backing a record strip, a driving mechanism, stops for controlling the movements of said type bars to present any one of said type to printing relation with said record strip, means under the controlof the driving mechanism for tripping said platen for effecting a spring-impelled movement thereof against the type which is in operative relation with said record strip, lock means near each limit movement of the driving mechanism for withholding the type bars against movement when advanced and in normal positions, and means between the lock means of the driving mechanism to cause the driving movements of the type bars, said lock means permitting of an advance movement of the driving mechanism to trip the platen.

14. In an adding machine, the combination with settable type bars having a series of type thereon and printing mechanism including a platen therefor operatively connected to a rockable driving mechanism, lock means at each limit stroke of the driving mechanism for withholding the-movements of the type bars, means between the lock means to cause the driving movements of said type bars to position certain of the type thereof over said platen, said lock means permitting of an advance movement of said driving mechanism at each limit stroke thereof, and means on the driving mechanism to engage to cause the platen to move for an impact against the type of the type bars at one limit stroke of the driving mechanism.

15. In an adding and recording machine, the combination of a movable platen, a driving mechanism, type carrying type bars independently driven by the driving mechanism and movable with respect to the platen, stops to hold the respective type bars against movement, a

plurality of keys having connections to release the stops, lock arms retaining the type bars locked inv their normal positions, a swinging frame supporting said platen, said driving mechanism causing the movement of the lock arms to release the type bars under the control of the keys whereby the selected ...,type thereof is positioned over said platen, means on the driving mechanism for tripping and; causing an impact of said platen against the positioned type of said type bars, and lock means on the driving mechanism to retain the type bars in their advanced positions while permitting of an ad- Vance movement of the driving mechanism to trip the platen.

16. In an adding and recording machine, the

combination with a platen, of a series of independently movable type bars, type carried on said type bars, means for moving the type bars with respect to the platen, a swinging frame supporting said platen, a cushioning device yieldingly supporting said swinging frame and platen in retracted position, means for engaging and moving the frame and platen, and spring means coacting with the frame for causing a movement of the platen for an impact against 

